A Rutland man denied charges of leaving the scene of a crash after police said they found his cellphone in the crashed vehicle.

Shayne T. Barrett, 23, pleaded innocent Monday in Rutland criminal court to misdemeanor charges of careless or negligent operation of a vehicle and leaving the scene of a crash.

The charges are both misdemeanors and carry a combined maximum penalty of three years in prison.

On the evening of Aug. 17, according to affidavits filed with the court, Rutland City Police responded to Allen Street for a report of a vehicle striking a utility pole. When police responded, they found a crashed pickup and a damaged utility pole, but no driver, records state.

A search of the vehicle revealed empty beer cans, an opened bottle of Jim Beam bourbon whiskey and a cellphone belonging to Barrett, affidavits state.

Police later interviewed Barrett, who denied drinking prior to the crash and told police he had crashed while trying to answer his phone, and fled the scene because his vehicle was emitting smoke, according to court records.

Barrett is free on the condition he return for his next court date Nov. 6.